wallpaperhttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/6786/all
enEasy Mac Hacks: Set Screen Saver as Desktop Backgroundhttp://www.maclife.com/article/columns/easy_mac_hacks_set_screen_saver_desktop_background
<!--paging_filter--><p><em><img src="/files/u12635/easy_mac_hacks_icon_flat_0.png" width="200" height="200" class="graphic-right" />Every Monday we show you how to do something quick and cool using built-in OS X utilities such as Terminal, Apple’s command line application. These easy hacks can make life better and simpler, and don’t require any knowledge of coding — all you need is a keyboard to type 'em out!</em><br /><br />Here's a cool little trick that lets you place your OS X Screen Saver as a background image on your Desktop, creating nice photo slideshows or animated backgrounds that you wouldn't ordinarily be able to accomplish without additional software. Continue reading and we'll show you how it's done, and how you can get back to your original Desktop when you get tired of it.</p><h3>Setting Your Screen Saver As Background</h3><p>To set up your Screen Saver to run as a background in the Finder Desktop, open the Terminal application (located in /Applications/Utilities).</p><p>Type the following command to move the working directory to a hidden System folder:</p><pre>cd /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources</pre><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/desktop_1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/desktop_1.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/desktop_1.png"></a>Next, type the following command in order to get the Screen Saver to run on the Desktop:</p><pre>./ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine -background</pre><p>Your default Screen Saver will immediately appear and start animating on the Mac Desktop. Note that if you have the clock overlay on the Screen Saver, it will appear as an overlay on top of all windows, so you may wish to turn that feature off before enabling the Desktop Screen Saver.</p><p><img src="/files/u12635/desktop_2.png" width="620" height="349" /><br /><br />This will continue to run as long as you have the Terminal window with the command you entered opened.</p><h3>Stopping the Background Screen Saver</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/desktop_3.png"><img src="/files/u12635/desktop_3.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>If you no longer wish to see the Screen Saver appear on the Mac Desktop, then you can easily stop it by closing the open Terminal window where you typed the command. You'll be prompted to confirm the window close, noting that it will stop anything that is currently running. Click Close, and you'll notice your Desktop return to normal.<br /><br /><em>Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Follow this article's author on Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/easy_mac_hacks_set_screen_saver_desktop_background#commentsbackgroundColumnsdesktopEasy Mac HacksHow tointeractiveMacMac HacksScreen saverTerminalTerminal 101wallpaperMacHow-TosMon, 19 May 2014 17:44:10 +0000Cory Bohon19977 at http://www.maclife.comPrice Drop: The Weekend's Best App Deals, November 15http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/price_drop_weekends_best_app_deals_november_15
<!--paging_filter--><p>A better you. We all dream of it, but it’s hard. Maybe that’s why it stays just a dream for some of us. Well, now you have a friend on your side to coach you along, to help you get more organized, smarter, more productive, fitter, and just better all around. That friend is your iPhone, and there are apps for that.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/price_drop_weekends_best_app_deals_november_15#commentsGalleryNewsApp LifeApp SalesAppLifeAppsbudget balanceChore Padchore pad hdColumnsContactFlowconversationbuilderdoomsday survival guidedooofrugal lifeInFocus ProOrderlyparkbudPDF PROviderprice dropsreading trainer for iphonescanbizcards business card readerStar walkto-doto-do appstrippy wallpaper and backgroundswallpaperwomanlog pro calendarFeaturesiPadiPhoneiPodFri, 15 Nov 2013 19:20:21 +0000J Keirn-Swanson18632 at http://www.maclife.comBlur Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/blur_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Whether you’ve preordered a 5C or just plan on updating a scratched and dented 4S, iOS 7 will make your iPhone feel like a million bucks. It's more than a fresh coat of paint – new animations and transparencies give the interface a depth like never before, adding a third dimension to your home screen and bringing your backgrounds to life. Since keyboards and menu bars float above the app grid on their own semi-translucent layer, different colors change the appearance of elements such as the Control Center and Phone keypad.<br /><br />It's the closest thing to a theme that we're ever going to get from Apple, and you'll likely find yourself swapping out your wallpaper a lot more often than you did in iOS 6. This is why we love Blur.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u325188/2013/09/screen_35.png" width="620" height="465" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br />The interface comprises all of three elements – two buttons and a slider – but Blur's artful simplicity presents a world of creative possibilities. All you need to get started is a photo, and you can either use the random one supplied each time you launch, take a new one, or select a snapshot from your library. Moving the slider adjusts the blur effect, and the results are extremely natural, much in the vein of Photoshop's Gaussian filter. Once you settle on a design, you can save it to your camera roll.<br /><br />Results vary, of course, but we were mostly very impressed with the wallpapers we created with Blur. We had a few quibbles – there was a bit of lag while blurring, and we wish we could adjust the colors in our favorite blurs – but we wouldn't be surprised to see Apple add this kind of functionality in iOS 8.<br /><br /><strong>The bottom line</strong>. Blur does exactly what its name suggests, but the results are better than you can imagine.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blur./id637855838?ls=1&amp;mt=8" target="_blank">Blur 1.5</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Enormo.us </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.enormo.us" target="_blank">http://www.enormo.us</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
$0.99 </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 6.1 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Exquisitely simple interface. Excellent blurring results. Nice selection of photos.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>No color adjustment. Some lag with the blurring slider.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/blur_review#commentsReviewsapp store reviewsAppLifebackgroundBluriOS 7iPad AppsiPhone and iPodiPod and iPhonereviewsSoftwaresoftwarewallpaperiPadWed, 18 Sep 2013 18:58:25 +0000Michael Simon18098 at http://www.maclife.comSatellite Eyes Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/satellite_eyes_review
<!--paging_filter--><p>Everyone’s a nerd about something, and maps are one of my favorite things to be nerdy about. As a kid I drew maps of my neighborhood on graph paper, and on road trips I used to pore over the AAA atlas long past the point of carsickness. So when I heard about Satellite Eyes, I installed it on all my Macs in about five minutes.</p><p><img src="/files/u330237/2012/11/se-watercolor_620.png" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>A watercolor map of my office’s neighborhood makes the San Francisco Bay look extra enticing.</strong></p><p>This little app lives in your menu bar, uses Location Services to periodically check your location, then it changes your desktop image to a map of the area. The default, Bing Aerial, is great—the muted greens, browns, and grays don’t distract too much from my windows, and you can select Street, Neighborhood, City, or Region view. Who knew the building two doors down had a rooftop deck?&nbsp;</p><p>Three other map styles include artistic Watercolor, graphic black-and-white Toner, and cheery pastel Terrain. None matches the photographic detail of Bing Aerial, of course, but it’s nice to have options. The Halftone and Pixelated layer effects don’t add much, in my opinion.</p><p><strong>The bottom line. </strong>It’s free. It’s super cool. You should get it.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Satellite Eyes 1.1.2</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Tom Taylor </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://satelliteeyes.tomtaylor.co.uk">http://satelliteeyes.tomtaylor.co.uk</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Free </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>OS X, Internet connection, access to Location Services</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Automatically stretches maps across multiple monitors. Lots of looks to choose from. Incredibly cool.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>A “you are here” sticker could be fun. No way to control how often it rechecks your location.&nbsp;</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/satellite_eyes_review#commentsGalleryReviewsdesktopdesktop applicationsDesktop WallpaperInternet and CommunicationsMapsReference and EducationSatellite EyesSoftwarewallpaperMacTue, 11 Dec 2012 23:30:54 +0000Susie Ochs15785 at http://www.maclife.comHow to Make Desktop Wallpapers Using Google Imageshttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_make_desktop_wallpapers_using_google_images
<!--paging_filter--><p><strong>I’m currently on a wallpaper binge. I gathered dozens of Google images with a resolution of 1290x1080 or higher. Using the drag-and-drop method, I placed the images in a Wallpaper folder I created on my Desktop. When I go to System Preferences &gt; Desktop &amp; Screen Saver to select and view them, they’re out of focus and pixelated. Is there another way to select the images without losing resolution?</strong><br /><br />Many times, dragging and dropping an image from Google search results without first loading the high-resolution version of the image will give you a lower-resolution “thumbnail” version instead. Then when your Mac enlarges it to fill your display, it looks pixelated.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/12/ask/desktop_1.jpg" width="524" height="400" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Be sure to click Full-Size Image on the right side of the page.</strong></p><p>Instead, click the image in the Google Images search results to be taken to the source page. On the right side of the page, you’ll see a frame that has a link to the original high-resolution image. After clicking “Full-size image,” you’ll be presented with the full-resolution version of the image. Drag this image to any Finder window to save it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/12/ask/desktop_2.jpg" width="248" height="225" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Dimensions in the More Info pane shows us this image has plenty of pixels to be a Desktop background.</strong></p><p>To check the resolution of the images you have already saved, select an image in the Finder window and press Command-I, or right-click it and select Get Info. You’ll see the image’s dimensions in the More Info section of this dialog.</p><p><strong>GOT A TECH QUESTION OR A HELPFUL TIP TO SHARE?</strong></p><p>Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ask@maclife.com" target="_blank">ask@maclife.com</a>&nbsp;or write to Mac|Life,&nbsp;<br />4000 Shoreline Ct, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_make_desktop_wallpapers_using_google_images#commentsdesktopsGoogleGoogle ImageswallpaperwallpapersMacHow-TosWed, 09 Nov 2011 15:40:29 +0000Cory Bohon12698 at http://www.maclife.comGallery: 20 Beautiful iPhone 4 Wallpapershttp://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_20_beautiful_iphone_4_wallpapers
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u300425/10.jpg" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />In the past couple weeks we've covered desktop customization, iPad customization, and even put together an icon gallery. This week we've got some eye candy for the one device that's always with you--your iPhone. These beautiful iPhone wallpapers represent some of the best out there and are fully optimized for the iPhone 4, retina resolution and all.</p><p>Note: Clicking an image in the gallery itself will make the image larger, but they aren't the right size or resolution to use as your wallpaper. Instead, click the links in the captions to go to each wallpaper maker's site, where you can grab the image ready for your iPhone. Enjoy!</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_20_beautiful_iphone_4_wallpapers#commentsGalleryCustomizationiOSiphone 4retina displaywallpaperiPhoneiPodWed, 11 May 2011 17:15:50 +0000Ambika Subramony10904 at http://www.maclife.comGallery: 20 Awesome iPad Homescreenshttp://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_20_awesome_ipad_homescreens
<!--paging_filter--><p>Last week we brought you a gallery of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_20_beautiful_custom_mac_desktops">20 beautiful Mac OS desktops</a>, but the customization doesn't stop there. This week we bring you 20 beautifully customized iPad homescreens. iOS customization is a little more challenging than OS X customization, particularly on the iPad, but with a little time and perseverence, these themers achieve beautiful results. Hopefully their work will inspire you to give iPad theming a try, too.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For more iPad theming resources, check out the forums at <a href="http://macthtmes.net">MacThemes</a>, <a href="http://macristocracy.com/vanilla">Macristocracy</a>, and <a href="http://deviantart.com">DeviantArt</a>. Then submit your creations to the iPad homescreen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1401574@N20/pool/with/4592851874/">Flickr group</a>!</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_20_awesome_ipad_homescreens#commentsGalleryCustomizationguihomescreeniconsiOSwallpaperInterfaceiPadThu, 28 Apr 2011 19:00:47 +0000Ambika Subramony10795 at http://www.maclife.comiPhone and iPad Tips of the Week - Master Those Frequently Used Appshttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_master_those_frequently_used_apps
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u62/lead120210.png" alt="Lead Image" width="320" height="146" /></h3><p>This week's tips will show you how to access and remove your most recently used apps in the iOS task manager, use your own wallpapers, and elminate typos.</p><p>You'll end up with greater knowledge of how you can effectively use the iOS task manager, personalize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your favorite images, and amaze your friends with your perfect typing skills.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Most Recently Used Apps</h3><p>If you have an iOS device running iOS 4.0 or higher you can view the most recently used apps by pressing the Home button twice. On the iPad you will see the last seven recently used apps. On other iOS devices you will only see the last four.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/mostrecentused.png" alt="Most Recently Used Apps" width="320" height="480" /><br /><br /><strong>Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.<br /><br /></p><h3>Remove Recently Used App</h3><p><br />On any of the iOS device running iOS 4.0 or higher you can remove one of the most recently used apps. You do this by tapping and holding the icon of the app you want to remove until it begins to wiggle and then tapping the red circle with the white minus sign that appears.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/removemostrecent.png" alt="Remove Recently Used App" width="320" height="480" /></p><p><strong>Compatibility: </strong>iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.<br /><strong><br /></strong></p><h3>Use Your Own Wallpapers</h3><p><br />If you have a collection of photos that you want to use as iOS wallpapers, simply create an Album called iPhone Wallpapers, iPod Wallpapers, or iPad Wallpapers in iPhoto. Add the photos you want to use as wallpapers to this album and later use iTunes to sync that album to your iOS device. You want to name the folders differently since the iPad uses a hugely different image size than the iPhone or iPod touch.<br /><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><img src="/files/u62/photoalbum.png" alt="Photo Album" width="320" height="480" /></p><p><strong><br />Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.<br /><br /></p><h3>Eliminate Typos</h3><p><br />If you've managed to master the art of touchscreen typing, you should consider using this method for typing on the iOS virtual keyboard. Rather than hunting and pecking for each key, try this method: as you use your thumbs to type each letter, number or symbol, that character appears above your finger. Look closely--if it isn't the right key don't let go. Instead, drag your finger to the right character without letting go and you'll eliminate the chance of a typo.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/typingtip.png" alt="Elim Typos" width="320" height="480" /><br /><strong><br />Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.<br /><br /><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/david_w_martin">David W. Martin</a>, on <a href="http://twitter.com">Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_master_those_frequently_used_apps#commentsAppsdo-it-yourselfelminatefrequentlyiPhone and iPad Tips of the WeektyposUsedwallpaperHow-TosFri, 03 Dec 2010 16:58:51 +0000David W. Martin9048 at http://www.maclife.com